Page 807 - Reading Mercury

jobs, and others have no intention of quitting the work with animals and growing
things that they have learned to love. Several of them are veterans with a full eleven
years’ service. Among these are Phyllis Pellatt, of South View Farm, Uffington, and
E. Willett, of the Compton agricultural Research Station; Rose Podmore, of Manor
Farm, Fernham; Alice Walpole, of Chalk Pig Farm, Stanford Dingly, and Beryl
Hawkings of Manor Farm, Shrivenham.
The Benevolent Fund
Berkshire County W.V.S. has offered to supervise the welfare of the remaining
girls, and Miss Cuff told a Reading Mercury representative this week that the
Women’s Land Army Benevolent Fund will last for at least two years. It exists to help
volunteers in time of special need, and the address in 1951 will be 23-26, Chester
Terrace, Regents Park, London N.W.1. Past members are joining the Berkshire
Women’s Land Army Association, whose chairman is Lady Mount. Formed in 1945
the association aims to keep ex-Land Girls in touch with each other through a
newsletter and twice-yearly reunions.

Fri 8th Dec
JOHN MILLS AT GLEBELANDS
John Mills, star of “Scott of the Antarctic” who has appeared in every Command
Performance, visited Glebelands on Friday last, and is pictured here with his equally
famous playwright wife, Mary Hayley Bell. Standing at his back are Mrs. Marshall,
the Matron, and Mr. Reginald Bromhead, founder and chairman of the Cinematograph
Benevolent Association. During his visit Mr. Mills invited all the residents of
Glebelands to the performance tomorrow (Saturday) of “Top of the Ladder,” St
James Theatre, London, in which he is playing the leading role.

th
Sat 9 Dec
WOKINGHAM GARDENERS
The First Annual Dinner
Some 150 members and friends of the Wokingham Allotment Holders’ and
Gardeners’ Association attended the association’s first annual dinner, which was held
at the Civic Restaurant, Wokingham, on Saturday, when guests of honour were the
Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, Cllr. S.L. Bowyer and Mrs. Ratcliffe.
The success of the association was attributed to the youthfulness of the association’s
officers by Mr. F.T. Williams who proposed the toast, “The Association,” adding that
he had watched, as a spectator, the growth in membership from 17 to nearly 300.
The president, Cllr. F.G. Hope, responding, paid tribute to the work put in by
members and non-members of the association, and said that the Borough Corporation
had also assisted them.
Mr. F. Carter, secretary of the association, spoke of the assistance given by the
Town Council, and said that water had now been laid on at all allotment sites in the
borough. The council are also dealing with a great influx of rabbits on allotments. He
proposed the health of the “The Mayor and Corporation of Wokingham,” and, in
response, the Mayor said the council would do all they could to further the aims of the
association.
Mr. C.J. Windebank, who proposed a toast to the visitors, thanked all those who had
helped the association, with special reference to members of the Reading Association.
Mr. Yates replied.
Following the dinner, a variety programme was presented by the “Raggers” concert
party, with Mr. R. Bevin as compere.

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